Crisis for Foreign Language High Schools

  written by 10306 Kim Tae Yun

Big Change on the System, Big Change on Us 

The government officially announced that high schools with language-based educational courses would change to normal high schools. They highlighted the fact that these schools originally had a goal of raising language experts. 

However, most of the graduates were not interested in selecting languages as a major in college; rather, they used these schools as a way to get into college easier. So instead, to keep language as an open field to study, the ministry of education decided to allow normal high schools to attain similar educational courses to present language academies. This change will be implemented in 2025. 

A survey was conducted in two different groups to get public opinions about the issue at hand. One was for the students of SAWL, and one was for people from different perspectives. The two surveys consisted of the exact same questions to prevent any bias. 

For the survey that was sent out for SAWL, about 68 responses were returned, and 92% disagreed with the abolition. For the survey that was sent outside of the school, about 72% disagreed on the issue. Each survey provided different perspectives on the issue. 

Agreements about the Issue

From the survey results, among people who agreed with the abolishment, there were SAWL students. Most of them tackled the inequality caused by social and economic status. To enter this kind of school, they said, students attend various preparatory programs, which require a considerable amount of money. 

Not only that, when students enter their desired school, they once again attend additional academies in order to receive high grades in school. This would cause another problem of increasing the private education rate. People who are wealthier will receive a better education, and the difference would be worsened between those who cannot get the same education.

People from outside of this school questioned the original purpose of the school. Their argument was the following: Since foreign language schools were built to raise language experts, graduates are expected to select majors related to language. However, often they get a job unrelated to language, meaning that they are using these schools as a way to get an advantage for entering college. Also, the curriculums that these schools implement are not aimed at language learning but at Suneung and school tests.

Disagreements about the Issue

One prevalent opinion among students who attend foreign language schools is the level of education that students receive. Students who attend these special-purpose schools often have a passion for learning. This causes competition between students, which results in better learning environments. By competing with each other, they claimed, students will improve and increase their capability. 

Also, teachers that are currently working in these schools were made to go through a similar process as students, such as taking interviews. This process can allow students to learn with teachers that can provide them with a suitable level of education. This appropriate learning environment then allows students to get one step closer to their dreams and goals.

Seen from a wider perspective, people claim that foreign schools do not actually aim for language learning as their prime goal. Instead, they aim for students to learn different languages, which is a basic skill in today’s globalized world, and advance to the world. As an example, SAWL prioritizes fostering global citizenship rather than language experts. Also, their slogan, building bridges to a wider world, shows their goal clearly.

The result of this issue will impact many different people in some way. This is the reason why people should pay close attention and speak out their opinions about it. There are no right or wrong answers to this. However, there should be a way to compromise the opposing arguments to settle this issue. During the process of compromising, everyone should never forget the fact that their goal is to find a way of co-existing, not eradicating the opposing side.

See page 49  for more information